Obituary of Kathy Beane

Kathleen Marie (Krause) Beane

Kathleen Marie (Krause) Beane, 71, passed away on Thursday, July 23, at Fort Atkinson Health Care Center.

Kathy was born December 7, 1948, in Fort Atkinson, the daughter of Kenneth and Marie (Leonard) Krause. She grew up on the family farm, attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School, and was an active member of Deer Creek 4-H Club where she developed her sewing skills and enjoyed

4-H trips to Ohio and Washington, D.C. Kathy graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1967. She attended Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, before returning to the area and working briefly at Nasco.

On August 7, 1971, Kathy married Thomas Craig Beane at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fort Atkinson. Together they farmed Holwis Farms for 25 years in partnership with Tom’s parents, Craig and Laura Beane. She and Tom worked side-by-side as enthusiastic promoters of agriculture, dairy products, and youth.

In 1969, Kathy started what would be a 35-year career at Fort Atkinson’s First National Bank (later re-named First American Bank, and now PremierBank.) She loved her banking family and took great pride in serving her customers, regretfully retiring due to advancing multiple sclerosis (MS).

Kathy contributed to many dairy and other agricultural organizations throughout her life. She was an active volunteer in such organizations as Jefferson County Agri-Business Club, Jefferson County Dairy Promotion Committee, World Dairy Expo’s Purple Cow Gift Shop, and the Family Living committee for the 1984 Farm Progress Days in Jefferson County. She was a frequent volunteer at the Jefferson County Fair, June Dairy Month on-the-farm breakfasts and open houses, the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, and many other events.

She was a strong supporter of youth who were interested in agriculture, particularly enjoying her association with the Fort Atkinson High School FFA Chapter. Many FFA members raised their pigs and sheep on Tom and Kathy’s farm and she loved frequent visits with these members and their parents. Many became good friends through the years. She also enjoyed helping chaperone Fort Atkinson youth on several trips to the National FFA Convention in Kentucky.

Kathy was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the Fort Atkinson FFA Alumni Association, the Fort Atkinson Historical Society, and the neighborhood Homemaker’s group. She served on the FFA Alumni Board of Directors and was awarded a lifetime membership in the Jefferson County Agri-Business Club for her support of that organization.

She loved ice cream, M&Ms, attending and clerking auctions, collecting snowmen and Precious Moments figurines, making a room-sized braided rug, and finding local dairy and farming memorabilia. She proudly donated dairy collectibles to the National Dairy Shrine Museum in Fort Atkinson. For many years she and Tom followed the UW Badgers to home and away games, including adventures to Hawaii and other states. Another favorite time was her trip to Alaska. In recent years, you didn’t want to interrupt Kathy during Badger or Packers games as she faithfully watched them on TV and simultaneously listened to her favorite announcers on the radio.

Kathy was happiest when surrounded by family and friends, especially enjoying the times when she and Tom entertained at their farm and later in their new home. She welcomed everyone who visited her at assisted living and who shared their time and lives with her. It was easy to spend hours talking with Kathy. She was a loving aunt, cherishing her nephews and nieces and their families, endlessly proud of their accomplishments, and always interested in their latest adventures. 

Kathy will be dearly missed by her husband, Tom; her brother and sister-in-law Mark and Bonnie Krause, Jefferson; her sister and brother-in-law Marilyn and Rick Leccese, DeForest: and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Marcia and Perry Baird, Fort Atkinson. She will also be missed by her nephews and nieces: Peter Krause and his children, Cody and Carly; Ben (Amy) Krause and their daughters Jadyn and Callie; Elizabeth Krause and her son, Landon; Colin (Stacey) Baird and their daughters, Charlotte and Ella; Drew (Christine) Baird and their children Zachary, Hannah, and Adelyn; and Joelle (Adam Sherman) Baird and their daughter, Ruby. She is also survived by many cousins, other relatives, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, and other relatives.

A memorial service for Kathy will be held on Wednesday, July 29 at 11 a.m at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fort Atkinson, with the Rev. David Ernest and Rev. Matthew Vik officiating.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 28, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Wednesday, July 29, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. There will be a private burial for family in Ward Cemetery.

The family requests that masks be worn. While we understand and appreciate your wish to express in-person condolences, please consider doing it in another way, or at another time, if you are experiencing any symptoms. A video recording of Kathy’s funeral service will be available on the homepage of the church website by Friday, July 31, and available for one week. https://stpaulsfort.org/  There will be an informal celebration of life for Kathy at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Ladies Aid and Altar Guild or to St. Paul’s Lutheran Preschool, Fort Atkinson.

For the last 20 years, Kathy endured many physical challenges brought on by MS. She, however, never lost her love of family and friends, her inquisitive nature and keen memory, or her sense of humor. Her spirit and determination inspired many. Though we will miss her greatly, we’re thankful that she’s now at peace.

Our family extends its thanks to family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church who’ve been there for Kathy and Tom. Your many prayers, gestures of kindness, and dedication to Kathy meant a great deal to her and all of us. Special thanks to PremierBank for their steadfast support, Rainbow Hospice, and especially to all of Kathy’s doctors, nurses, and assisted living staff for their care and friendship throughout the years.

www.nitardyfuneralhome.com